3 GOP lawmakers fined by Ark. ethics commission

The panel found that Eddie Joe Williams of Cabot, incoming Senate President Michael Lamoureux of Russellville and Johnny Key of Mountain Home each broke ethics laws.

Associated Press

Three Republican state senators will receive public letters of caution from the Arkansas Ethics Commission.

The panel found that Eddie Joe Williams of Cabot, incoming Senate President Michael Lamoureux of Russellville and Johnny Key of Mountain Home each broke ethics laws. They were accused of using their campaign money to donate more than the ticketed price or suggested amount at fundraisers for fellow Republicans.

The commission says Williams agreed to pay an $850 fine and Key agreed to a $100 fine.

Lamoureux agreed to a $150 fine. He was accused of funneling $2,400 more of his campaign funds than the recommended donation level for three GOP candidates.

Lamoureux tells the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that the fine was fair but that the situation fell under a "gray area" in ethics laws.